Brooks Conrad’s 11th Inning Homer Sinks Pirates, 4-2

Jeff Karstens #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the game on June 1, 2010 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — The Pirates have scored just two runs total in their last 29 innings and when that happens, you oftentimes waste excellent pitching.

It happened again Wednesday at PNC Park when the Bucs lost to the Atlanta Braves, 4-2 in the 11th inning.

With pinch-runner Wilkin Ramirez on first and one out, Conrad hit a 1-2 pitch from Jeff Karstens (3-3) into a sliver of seats in right-center for his first home run of the season and fifth career pinch-hit homer.

Eric Hinske hit a solo homer and Jordan Schafer and Alex Gonzalez each had two hits for the Braves, who have won three of four and got a strong outing from rookie Mike Minor in a spot start for Tim Hudson.

Steve Pearce homered for the first time in 20 months and went 3 for 5 with two RBIs for Pittsburgh, which has lost three straight.